ItineraryDay 1: Pre-trek Briefing
If you have opted for optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should plan to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today, we will conduct a pre-trek briefing, review your equipment, and rent any necessary gear.
Day 2: Hotel to Machame Camp
Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate (about 45 minutes), passing through the village of Machame on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We start the trek through rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. The lower elevations may be muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles are recommended. After a steady ascent, we reach Machame Camp.
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft → 3050m/9950ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast, we leave the rainforest and continue along a rocky ridge, crossing a valley before ascending to Shira Camp. This area offers stunning views and is characterized by moorland vegetation.
Elevation: 3050m/9950ft → 3850m/12,600ft Distance: 5km/3mi Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Moorland Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barafu Camp
Today is crucial for acclimatization. We hike to Lava Tower (4650m), where we stop for lunch. Then, instead of descending to Barranco Camp, we continue directly to Barafu Camp, following the South Circuit, which provides excellent views of Kibo Peak.
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft → 4650m/15,250ft → 4700m/15,350ft Distance: 12km/7.5mi Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit (Uhuru Peak) to Mweka Camp
We start our summit ascent around midnight. The steep climb follows a scree-covered path to Stella Point (5756m), where we rest briefly before continuing to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa.
After celebrating at the summit, we descend to Barafu Camp for lunch and then continue down to Mweka Camp for overnight rest.
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft → 5895m/19,340ft → 3090m/10,150ft Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 5-6 hours down Habitat: Ice-capped summit, Alpine Desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
After breakfast, we continue descending through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we receive summit certificates. A vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to Moshi (1-hour drive).
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft → 1680m/5500ft Distance: 10km/6mi Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Forest Meals: Breakfast
Key Adjustments for 6 Days:
Combined Barranco and Karanga days into one, heading straight to Barafu for acclimatization. Removed extra day at Karanga Camp to keep the trek within 6 days. Maintained gradual ascent and acclimatization strategy for a safer summit attempt.
This itinerary provides proper acclimatization while ensuring a shorter trek duration. Let me know if you need any further modifications!
Inclusions
- Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Sleeping Mattress
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
Exclusions
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- International and domestic flights
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
- Tanzania Visa
- Travel insurance
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Transfers (available as an optional addon)
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Hotel (available as an optional addon)
